Britain could send more troops to halt march of Taliban in Afghanistan

BRITAIN is considering sending more troops to Afghanistan to halt Taliban advances after a Nato request.

The alliance has asked the UK to deploy dozens more soldiers to join the 500 already there in a training and assistance role. Nato’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg is expected to discuss the subject when he meets Theresa May at Downing Street today.

No decision will be made until after the election, but Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has previously warned that if Afghanistan collapses Europe ‘will feel the consequences’ – with mil- lions of refugees pouring into the continent. Since UK troops pulled out, the Taliban has gained swathes of territory and stepped up its suicide attacks.

However yesterday Jeremy Corbyn suggested he would refuse to send any more troops if he became prime minister. The anti-war Labour leader said UK soldiers had ‘suffered a great deal in Afghanistan’ and called instead for a ‘secure political solution’.

Nato’s request comes as the US consid- ers increasing its military presence in Afghanistan, with officials recommending a further 3,000 troops be deployed.

Combat operations against the Taliban officially ended in 014, but 450 UK troops remained to train and advice local forces. Last July a further 50 were sent to aid counter-terrorism efforts and provide leadership training.

The Government has repeatedly ruled out deploying combat troops again.

An MoD spokesman said: ‘The UK keeps its contribution in Afghanistan under regular review to ensure it remains suited for the needs of the mission.’